Cal-State Contractors License Servicehttp://www.licenses4contractors.com
License BureauFri, 01 Jun 2018 20:01:24 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8http://www.licenses4contractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/favicon-559db4d4v1_site_icon-32x32.pngCal-State Contractors License Servicehttp://www.licenses4contractors.com
323289472341Why You Need to Be a Licensed Contractor before Bidding on a Jobhttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-you-need-to-be-a-licensed-contractor-before-bidding-on-a-job/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-you-need-to-be-a-licensed-contractor-before-bidding-on-a-job/#respondThu, 03 Mar 2016 17:54:10 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=374As a contractor, it is essential that you stay current with rules and regulations which impact your industry and business. By following the rules and staying current with the regulations, you will have the peace of mind to know that you are protecting your business and reputation. Here are a few considerations that need to be made if you are a business owner in the contracting industry:
Following the Guidelines for Contractor Licensing
There are many jurisdictions across the United ...

]]>As a contractor, it is essential that you stay current with rules and regulations which impact your industry and business. By following the rules and staying current with the regulations, you will have the peace of mind to know that you are protecting your business and reputation. Here are a few considerations that need to be made if you are a business owner in the contracting industry:

Following the Guidelines for Contractor Licensing

There are many jurisdictions across the United States that require a license, and one of the requirements is that you have the license in place before bidding on a job. In the situation of a public bid, it is possible that a bid challenge can be lodged if the winning contractor doesn’t have the right licensing. The result could be that the contractor loses the award and faces penalties, fines, and citations from the licensing agency.

Contractors are often asked to provide license and insurance information, especially when they are working on government projects such as state, city, and municipality projects. If you want to have the opportunity to work on government funded construction sites, then you will need to provide documentation of your licenses before the work begins.

Additionally, the licensing process will give you the information and guidelines that are needed to ensure that you are completing the work in a safe and effective manner. The education that is received through the licensing process can be beneficial for every contractor and small business owner in the construction industry.

Obtaining the Contractor Licenses that You Need

If you aren’t licensed and you are interesting in bidding on a job, then you need to make sure to complete the licensing process as soon as possible. Instead of bidding without the proper licenses in place, it is better to secure the licenses first. You never know how long the licensing process will take, which means that you might find yourself in a difficult situation if your bid is selected and you are unable to provide the correct documentation.

Here at Cal-State Contractors License Service, our goal is to make it easy for you to get the licensing that you need for your contracting business. We provide research services in all 50 states, and can help you identify the licensing requirements in your local area. Don’t leave it to Google, Contact our experienced team instead! For more information about the steps that need to be followed in order to obtain the right licenses for your company, call us today: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-you-need-to-be-a-licensed-contractor-before-bidding-on-a-job/feed/03743 Tips to Make Clients Confident in Your Contracting Serviceshttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/3-tips-to-make-clients-confident-in-your-contracting-services/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/3-tips-to-make-clients-confident-in-your-contracting-services/#respondThu, 25 Feb 2016 18:00:32 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=369One of the best ways to help your contracting business reach higher levels of success is to ensure that your clients are confident in the services that you have to offer. By building this confidence and trust, they will be more likely to hire you and refer your services to their friends and business contacts. Here are three things that you can do to build more trust with your clients:
1. Improve Channels of Communication
Make sure that you maintain ...

]]>One of the best ways to help your contracting business reach higher levels of success is to ensure that your clients are confident in the services that you have to offer. By building this confidence and trust, they will be more likely to hire you and refer your services to their friends and business contacts. Here are three things that you can do to build more trust with your clients:

1. Improve Channels of Communication

Make sure that you maintain open lines of communication with your clients, because regular conversation will help them feel at ease with the project. Good communication gives the client the opportunity to express their needs, and you can explain how the services can be used to get the job done right.

2. Be Consistent

Consistency is key to ensure that you build trust with your clients, and it is essential that you follow through with promised deadlines and responsibilities. If you say that you are going to do something, then be sure that you complete the work that you agreed to, and always stick with the completion dates. Failing to stay consistent means that the client might start to question the services that are offered, resulting in a situation where you might have disagreements or even lose additional work opportunities with the client.

3. Obtain Additional Contracting License Classifications

It is essential that you have the classifications to back up the services that you are offering, because these classifications verify that you can legally offer those services. Share information about your classifications with your clients, and let them know that you are licensed and insured to complete the work they need help with.

You should look at options to get the initial licensing that is needed, as well as additional classifications that can complement the services that you are already offering. By expanding the services, you will have more opportunities to work on other types of projects.

Do you need help getting the necessary qualifications for your contracting business? Contact our team at Cal-State Contractors License Service, because we can help! We offer a full range of services to make it easy for you to obtain the contracting licenses that you need. Our team is familiar with all of the requirements for specific types of classifications, and we will assist with the paperwork, exam, and application process. For more information about all of the services that are available, we invite you to contact us anytime and we will gladly answer your questions: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/3-tips-to-make-clients-confident-in-your-contracting-services/feed/0369Breaking News: CSLB is Increasing Scrutiny of Workers’ Comp Exemptionshttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-the-cslb-is-increasing-scrutiny-of-workers-comp-exemptions/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-the-cslb-is-increasing-scrutiny-of-workers-comp-exemptions/#respondThu, 18 Feb 2016 20:53:17 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=365Did you know that the CSLB is increasing their scrutiny of licensees with exemptions that allow them to avoid purchasing Workers’ Compensation insurance? As the CSLB takes a closer look at these WC exemptions, they will be keeping an eye on contractors that have classifications that typically require more than one person to complete a job.
Recent Changes in WC Compliance
The CSLB had a meeting in December, and during this meeting they agreed that a focus needed to be ...

]]>Did you know that the CSLB is increasing their scrutiny of licensees with exemptions that allow them to avoid purchasing Workers’ Compensation insurance? As the CSLB takes a closer look at these WC exemptions, they will be keeping an eye on contractors that have classifications that typically require more than one person to complete a job.

Recent Changes in WC Compliance

The CSLB had a meeting in December, and during this meeting they agreed that a focus needed to be placed on bringing more compliance in the industry. The goal is to ensure that contractors are maintaining the necessary WC insurance coverage, to ensure that the exemptions aren’t being used incorrectly.

At this point, it looks like there are too many companies applying for the WC exceptions, especially considering the nature of the contracting industry. Over 50% of all licensed contracting companies have filed for Workers’ Compensation exemptions.

Requirements to Purchase a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy

Section 7125 of the Business and Professions Code requires that a WC insurance policy is purchased by contractors, and then proof of the insurance needs to be submitted to CSLB. There are several times when the proof of insurance needs to be provided:

A new contractor’s license is issued

Renewal of a license

Reactivating an inactive license

If your contracting business doesn’t have any employees, then it is not necessary to submit proof of WC insurance, unless you are a roofing contractor.

Ensure that Your WC Policy is in Place

Since the CSLB will be ramping up efforts to review WC exemptions, it is important to ensure that you have the right WC policy in place for your contracting business. Random checks will be performed to evaluate if companies with WC exemptions are really qualified for the exemption. If you have been granted a WC exemption, then it is likely that you will receive a letter outlining the requirements of WC insurance if you have employees.

If violations are discovered, then the CSLB will work with other agencies to enforce the requirements. The overall goal is to increase the compliance among contractors, to ensure that workers are protected when they are on the job.

Are you interested in learning more about getting Workers’ Compensation insurance for your contracting company? Contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Service, and we can help you get the workers compensation insurance that you need. At the same time, if you have workers compensation insurance and it is not showing with the CSLB we can assist with the process of submitting your proof of WC insurance to go with your license, so that you are in compliance. Contact our team for more information about the many services that we offer: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-the-cslb-is-increasing-scrutiny-of-workers-comp-exemptions/feed/0365Trade Reciprocity in Western Stateshttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/trade-reciprocity-in-western-states/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/trade-reciprocity-in-western-states/#respondFri, 12 Feb 2016 20:24:55 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=361Holding a contractor’s license in one state doesn’t necessarily give you the ability to do your work in any location, because different states have differing rules about the requirements that contractors need to meet. For example, if you have a license issued by the state of California, then you wouldn’t be able to complete a construction project in Nevada using your current California license.
Benefits of Obtaining Additional Licenses
Even though you can’t use the same license across state lines, ...

]]>Holding a contractor’s license in one state doesn’t necessarily give you the ability to do your work in any location, because different states have differing rules about the requirements that contractors need to meet. For example, if you have a license issued by the state of California, then you wouldn’t be able to complete a construction project in Nevada using your current California license.

Benefits of Obtaining Additional Licenses

Even though you can’t use the same license across state lines, there are benefits to getting the correct licenses so that you can perform work in multiple states. By obtaining additional licenses in nearby states, you can open up new opportunities to work on more job sites that previously weren’t available for you to consider.

By opening up the opportunities, you can expand your reach, make new connections in the industry, and grow your business to higher levels of success. Most construction business owners see the strong advantages of having the ability to work in multiple locations, because these additional projects help to improve the company and grow overall revenue.

How to Get a Trade Exam Waiver

Just because you are interested in getting a license in another state, doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go through the trade exam process again. Since you’ve already gone through the trade exam in your home state, it is possible to get an exam waiver based on “trade reciprocity” shared by several states in the western US.

This trade reciprocity requires that you had a license in your home state for five out of the last seven years, and then you will be qualified for the trade exam waiver in participating states. Even though you can get a waiver for the trade exam, it is still required that you complete the law exam.

There is one exception to that rule in Arizona though, because they allow for the waiver if you have taken any type of licensing exam in the past five years OR if you have been licensed for more than five years.

Trade Reciprocity Participating States

The participating states in the Western US trade reciprocity agreement include California, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. If you have questions about the specific licensing requirements for contractors in a specific state, then the best thing that you can do is talk with an expert about the requirements for the area where you would like to work.

Here at Cal-State Contractors License Service, we know all about license requirements in various states, and our goal is to make it easy for you to get the licensing that you need. Whether you would like a trade exam waiver or you need help getting a license, we invite you to contact us today: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/trade-reciprocity-in-western-states/feed/0361What You Need to Know About the NASCLA State Super Waiverhttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nascla-state-super-waiver/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nascla-state-super-waiver/#respondFri, 05 Feb 2016 20:19:08 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=357If you are a general building contractor, then it is important that you know about the NASCLA Super Waiver and how this accredited examination impacts your business. Here at Cal-State Contractors License Service, our goal is to keep you up-to-date on industry regulations and trends, and we are here to answer your questions about licensing and accreditation.
What is the NASCLA Super Waiver?
This super waiver impacts 13 states, which means that there are many contractors affected by the requirements ...

]]>If you are a general building contractor, then it is important that you know about the NASCLA Super Waiver and how this accredited examination impacts your business. Here at Cal-State Contractors License Service, our goal is to keep you up-to-date on industry regulations and trends, and we are here to answer your questions about licensing and accreditation.

What is the NASCLA Super Waiver?

This super waiver impacts 13 states, which means that there are many contractors affected by the requirements that are in place. The goal is to improve the quality of construction and regulate contractors who are performing the work on commercial buildings in these states.

One of the benefits of the super waiver is that it enables contractors to be mobile across multiple jurisdictions. So, one accreditation can be applicable for multiple states. As a result, you can avoid the hassle of multiple state-required licenses because this single waiver will be applicable on jobs sites in different locations.

Of course, the rules and regulations change depending on where you are working. So, it is a good idea to check the details about your local area to be sure that you are in compliance. If you need help with this process, don’t hesitate to contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Services, and we will gladly assist you with compliance.

NASCLA Accredited Examination for General Building Contractors

This examination is the tool used by multiple state contractor licensing agencies. General contractors interested in getting the right licenses need to take this test when they are applying for their contractor’s license.

The goal of the NASCLA is to help contractors avoid the redundant licensing requirements, to save both time and money. It can be a hassle to apply for multiple licenses, and these redundancies can be avoided with the NASCLA examination. If you need to be licensed in multiple jurisdictions, then you need to learn more about this examination.

All contractors who meet the requirements and pass the NASCLA exam are qualified to be admitted into the NASCLA National Examination Database (NED). Keep in mind that this is not a national license, because it is only applicable for participating state agencies.

Do you want to learn more about the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program? Contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Service, and we will gladly help with this process. We specialize in all types of contractor’s licensing, and we can make it easy for you to get the licensing that you need for your contacting business. Call us today: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nascla-state-super-waiver/feed/0357Keeping Your Corporation and License in Good Standinghttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/keeping-your-corporation-and-license-in-good-standing/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/keeping-your-corporation-and-license-in-good-standing/#respondThu, 28 Jan 2016 18:14:30 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=353As the owner of a contracting business, it takes a lot of work and effort to stay up-to-date with all of the requirements that need to be met to keep your business in good standing. Are you current with all of your business filings? It is essential that you are keeping up with these things, because failure to stay in compliance can result in fines, penalties and leave your business open to litigation.
Business and Corporate Compliance
There are a ...

]]>As the owner of a contracting business, it takes a lot of work and effort to stay up-to-date with all of the requirements that need to be met to keep your business in good standing. Are you current with all of your business filings? It is essential that you are keeping up with these things, because failure to stay in compliance can result in fines, penalties and leave your business open to litigation.

Business and Corporate Compliance

There are a variety of tasks that need to be completed to make sure that you are keeping up with the business side of your company. These are just a few of the requirements that need to be met:

Annual payment of business license fees

Business license renewals in the cities where you perform contracting work

Corporate minutes

Annual statement of information

Maintenance and documentation of the right insurance coverages

Updating Business Information

In addition to the regular compliance requirements, you also need to make sure that you stay updated if there are any changes in your business. It can take a bit of time to file these changes, but it is essential to make sure that the paperwork is correct.

These are a few of the situations that might require business changes for compliance:

New address

Different phone number

Officer changes

Any changes in ownership

Anytime a change has occurred in your company that impacts the contact information, location, or ownership of your company, then you need to make sure that you stay in compliance by keeping the information up-to-date with your state and local authorities.

Know Local and State Laws and Regulations

The tricky aspect of keeping up with the requirements is that you need to make sure that you are staying current with the regulations and laws that are specific for your local area. Make sure that you check the rules for both the state and the local governments, because there might be slight differences.

Keep in mind that these requirements change from one state to the next, so there isn’t a master list to help you keep up with everything. In fact, many contractors find that it is easiest to find a quality service to help them stay current with these compliance issues. Handling everything on your own can result in a situation where you miss an important document, but these problems can be easily avoided by hiring an expert to help.

Here at Cal-State Contractors License Service, we offer a number of services to help with your contracting business. In addition to contractor license services, we also have a maintenance plan that makes it easy for you to stay up-to-date with compliance. For more information about the benefits of these services, contact us today: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/keeping-your-corporation-and-license-in-good-standing/feed/0353Will AB 1513 End Piece Work in the Construction Industry?http://www.licenses4contractors.com/will-ab-1513-end-piece-work-in-the-construction-industry/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/will-ab-1513-end-piece-work-in-the-construction-industry/#respondThu, 21 Jan 2016 18:00:10 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=349A few months ago, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1513 into law, which will have a drastic impact on the way piece work is handled in the construction industry. If you own a construction or contracting business in California, then it is important that you understand the details about AB 1513 and how this new law will impact your business.
How Did AB 1513 Come to Be?
This law was the result of a settlement negotiated between the Department of ...

]]>A few months ago, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1513 into law, which will have a drastic impact on the way piece work is handled in the construction industry. If you own a construction or contracting business in California, then it is important that you understand the details about AB 1513 and how this new law will impact your business.

How Did AB 1513 Come to Be?

This law was the result of a settlement negotiated between the Department of Labor and the agricultural business. The settlement was designed to resolve conflicts that have been occurring because of disagreements with violations of piecework projects.

Even though the law was designed to help with this particular settlement, the wording of the law is actually quite vague. As a result, it now covers all piece rate workers in the state of California, including businesses in the Building Trade industry.

Requirements of AB 1513

There are several requirements listed by AB 1513, and it is important that you study these details to understand how the new rules will impact your business. For example, it is now necessary to calculate separate compensation for non-productive time related to recovery and rest periods for weekly piece rate work. Then, this information must be provided to employees on the paystub, detailing the piece rate information and overall compensation.

The difficulty with these requirements is that the calculations are quite labor intensive, and this process drastically changes the way piece rate employees are paid. Additionally, these calculations need to be considered for the period between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2015. So, the changes impact past payments, and it is also necessary to implement changes on a going-forward basis. Make sure that you learn more about the interest rate payments that need to be met, as well as payroll taxes and workers compensation requirements that are applicable.

What’s the Bottom Line of AB 1513?

In summary, AB 1513 requires that employers pay piece rate employees quite a bit of back pay to meet these requirements. New systems will need to be put into place to ensure that the wages for rest time and nonproductive time are calculated correctly. Since the law has already been signed, it is necessary for you to take action right away to implement these changes into your business.

At Cal-State Contractors License Service, we work hard to keep you up-to-date on any legal changes that impact the construction industry. We understand that it can be hard to keep up with the laws and license requirements, and we are here to make the process easier for you. If you need help with the paperwork for your contractor’s licenses, then we invite you to contact us right away for more information: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/will-ab-1513-end-piece-work-in-the-construction-industry/feed/0349Why Minority Women and Other Small Business Owners Need Specialty Designationshttp://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-minority-women-and-other-small-business-owners-need-contractor-designations/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-minority-women-and-other-small-business-owners-need-contractor-designations/#respondThu, 14 Jan 2016 22:44:50 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=342Did you know that there are certain designations which help women and minority business owners in the contracting industry? Some business owners aren’t aware of the designations that are available, which means that they could potentially be missing out on work opportunities that are out there.
Business Development programs like the SBA’s 8(a) program or California’s UCP program are designed to help people like you, and we encourage you to contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Service for more information. ...

]]>Did you know that there are certain designations which help women and minority business owners in the contracting industry? Some business owners aren’t aware of the designations that are available, which means that they could potentially be missing out on work opportunities that are out there.

Business Development programs like the SBA’s 8(a) program or California’s UCP program are designed to help people like you, and we encourage you to contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Service for more information. The goal with these designations is to increase your opportunities for growth in a very competitive contracting industry.

Are You Eligible for These Designations?

If you own a contracting company and you fall within a certain classification, then it is possible to get specific designations to help you access projects that are funded by federal or state money. These are some of the classes that apply:

Minority business owners, including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Asian Pacific Americans. Other individuals who are not in these groups could potentially be qualified, although documentation will need to be supplied

Women business owners

LGBT business owners

Disadvantaged veteran business owners

It is necessary to go through the review process to verify that the business is actually controlled, owned, and operated by someone that falls within one of these categories. Once you have completed the review process and received your certification, it can give you an advantage when you are bidding on federal or state projects.

The goal with these designations is to expand the opportunities that are available for disadvantaged small business owners. As a result, small business owners have a chance at winning government-funded work, instead of always being overlooked because of bigger contracting firms that are also bidding on the projects.

How to Get the Certification that You Need

It isn’t easy to get these special designations, but it is worth the effort because of the many business opportunities that will be available once you have completed the certification process. Instead of trying to figure out the certification process on your own, the easiest option is to contact us at Cal-State Contractors License Service for help.

We specialize in all types of contractor licensing services, and we can offer assistance every step of the way. Contact us for more information about the various designations that are available, including DVBE, SB, MBE, and more. We can handle these applications in our office, and help you with the documentation that is needed so that you can get the right certifications for your small business. Since it is a new year, right now is a great time to get these designations so that you can take on work as the new allocations are coming. Without the right certifications, you won’t be able to bid or take part of the projects that are available. Call us today for more information: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/why-minority-women-and-other-small-business-owners-need-contractor-designations/feed/0342Establish Yourself as a Leader in your Contracting Business, Part 2http://www.licenses4contractors.com/establish-yourself-as-a-leader-in-your-contracting-business-part-2/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/establish-yourself-as-a-leader-in-your-contracting-business-part-2/#respondThu, 07 Jan 2016 17:00:35 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=328Last week, we discussed the topic of establishing yourself as a leader in your contracting business. By getting the right classifications, you can expand your opportunities and help your business to grow. Here are a few more things that you need to consider if you want to be a leader in your industry:
Business Name Limitations
If you want to differentiate your business from the competition, then you need to make sure that you have the right classifications. Your company ...

]]>Last week, we discussed the topic of establishing yourself as a leader in your contracting business. By getting the right classifications, you can expand your opportunities and help your business to grow. Here are a few more things that you need to consider if you want to be a leader in your industry:

Business Name Limitations

If you want to differentiate your business from the competition, then you need to make sure that you have the right classifications. Your company name cannot contain descriptions of a trade unless you hold a classification to match.

So, reviewing your field experience with an expert, like Cal-State, to determine if you can qualify for additional classifications can differentiate you because you have more flexibility with the name and description that you use for your business. The name and description matters, because it helps potential customers to understand the types of services that are offered. By having the right classifications and choosing a good name to match, you can convey your services through the name and description of your company.

Additional Contracting Opportunities

When a contractor is on a job, it isn’t unusual for a homeowner to ask for additional help with other services. Being on the job means that you can easily complete the additional work since you are already on-site, but only if you have the right classifications to do the work.

By expanding your classifications, you can agree to the extra work opportunities and know that you can legally perform the work that your customer is asking for.

Continue Learning and Applying New Knowledge

One of the benefits of additional classifications is that you have the opportunity to learn more about the industry. By increasing your knowledge, you can easily establish yourself as an authority. People will know that you are very experienced and knowledgeable, which means that they will come to you when they need help with their contracting needs.

By answering the questions of customers and potential clients, you can build a relationship of trust with them. The best way to answer their questions and share important information is by staying current with the changes in the industry and keeping up with the classifications for your business.

Services to Get Your Contractor’s License

At Cal-State Contractors License Service, we can help you get the education and training that you need. We make the licensing process easy by offering home study material, high quality instruction, exam prep, paperwork submission, and more. For more information about these services, we invite you to contact us any time: 1-800-454-2776

]]>http://www.licenses4contractors.com/establish-yourself-as-a-leader-in-your-contracting-business-part-2/feed/0328Establish Yourself as a Leader in your Contracting Business, Part 1http://www.licenses4contractors.com/contracting-business/
http://www.licenses4contractors.com/contracting-business/#respondThu, 24 Dec 2015 20:00:16 +0000http://www.licenses4contractors.com/?p=323There can be quite a bit of competition in certain contracting industries, which means that you need to take a proactive approach to make your services outshine the competition. One of the best things that you can do is to establish yourself as a leader in the industry, so that potential clients can see that you are the obvious choice when they are ready to hire a contractor. Here are a few tips to make your business stand out from ...

]]>There can be quite a bit of competition in certain contracting industries, which means that you need to take a proactive approach to make your services outshine the competition. One of the best things that you can do is to establish yourself as a leader in the industry, so that potential clients can see that you are the obvious choice when they are ready to hire a contractor. Here are a few tips to make your business stand out from the competition:

Get the Right Classifications

Having the right classifications can help to establish you as an authority. When your customers see that you have the classifications to back up your skills and services, then they will be more confident in hiring your company.

Assess the services that you are offering, and make sure that you have the classifications to match. If you need to, dedicate the time that is needed to get additional certifications to expand the services that are available. Make sure to share details about your classifications with your customers, so that your customers are familiar with the training and expertise that you can offer.

Effective Advertising Strategies

Advertising is essential for you to connect with your target customer, but your advertising options can sometimes be limited. In order to capture the attention of the customers that you want to work with, you need to share specific messages in your advertising. But, these messages are limited to the types of classifications you have.

For example, “B” Generals can only advertise general construction services, not specific types of projects. If a particular contractor offers solar installation work, they are limited in their advertising for this type of project. The CSLB has ruled that solar installations are not a sole-trade job, so a “B” classification is allowed to perform the work. Even though they can complete the project, they aren’t allowed to specifically advertise for solar installations. Since most customers hire based on the whole job, it can be a bit confusing if you don’t advertise the right way.

This is just one example of construction services vs. specific jobs. If you find that you are limited in the type of advertising that you are allowed to use, then you should consider getting additional contractors licenses to give you more advertising options.

Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

When you are aware of the trends in the industry, then you can keep up with new opportunities when they come available. For example, if a new license is related to your contracting industry, then you can take fast action to get the license and be the most current and relevant contractor in the area.

Your customers will be able to tell a difference when they see that you are working to expand services and get all of the licenses that back up those services.

Contractor’s Licensing Services

As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you need to consider your contractor’s licensing if you want to be a leader in your industry. Stay tuned for our next blog post, which will share more information about this topic.

Also, feel free to contact Cal-State Contractors License Service any time if you need help obtaining your contractor’s licenses: 1-800-454-2776